Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic incumbent, is running for a second term as Illinois secretary of state in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election. Republican Diane M. Harris is also on the ballot, according to BallotReady.
Giannoulias has held the office since 2023. He has said his priorities include expanding digital services, broadening voter access and pushing ethics reforms in state government, according to his campaign website.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Illinois Secretary of State
- Residence: Chicago
- Education: Bachelor's degree in economics from Boston University (1998); juris doctor from Tulane University
- Family: Lives in Chicago with his wife, Josephine, and their four daughters, according to his campaign website
Giannoulias was born in Chicago to Greek immigrant parents, according to his Wikipedia biography. He graduated cum laude from Boston University, where he played on the men's basketball team, according to his campaign website.
Experience and public service
Giannoulias has held elected office and private-sector roles spanning finance, education and food service, according to his campaign website and BallotReady:
- Illinois Secretary of State (2023–present)
- Illinois State Treasurer (2007–2011)
- Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate (2010)
- Chairman, Illinois Community College System (appointed, 2011)
- Board member, Chicago Public Library Board of Directors (appointed, 2018)
- Vice president and senior loan officer, Broadway Bank (2002–2006)
- Senior director, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
- Founder, Kanela Breakfast Club Restaurant Group
- Adjunct professor, Northwestern University
- CEO and founder, Annoula Ventures (present)
- Professional basketball player, Panionios B.C. (1998–1999)
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Giannoulias' responses on his campaign website and through BallotReady questionnaires. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.
Digital services and transportation
Giannoulias said he wants to expand the "Skip the Line" appointment scheduling program to every Secretary of State facility in Illinois. He said he plans to push for digital driver's licenses and state identification cards on phones. He said he would draft legislation encouraging lawmakers to approve it during his first year in office. He also said he supports making more services available remotely and online.
Giannoulias said he supports repealing the state law that prohibits drivers from hanging items from a vehicle's rearview mirror, calling Illinois one of a handful of states with such a ban.
Voter access
Giannoulias said he has proposed changes to the state's Automatic Voter Registration system, including a back-end process that would add eligible voters to the rolls without requiring extra steps during a driver's license facility visit. He said he wants to let 16- and 17-year-olds pre-register to vote and become automatically registered when they turn 18.
Government reform and ethics
Giannoulias said he supports requiring elected officials to disclose outside income and business relationships on their Statements of Economic Interest. He said he backs a two-year "revolving door" policy to prevent state lawmakers from lobbying immediately after leaving the Legislature. He also said he supports a statewide searchable database of lobbyist activity and banning elected officials from lobbying local governments.
Libraries and education
Giannoulias said he plans to implement a "License to Read" program to improve library access, add educational programs and expand digital services. He said his office would oppose efforts to ban books.
Criminal justice
Giannoulias said he would push the state to provide formerly incarcerated people with valid state identification cards before their release from prison. He said he supports a law, signed earlier in 2026, that prohibits the state and municipalities from suspending driver's licenses over unpaid parking tickets and fines.
Endorsements
Giannoulias has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, the AFL-CIO, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Cook County Democrats, the Chicago Federation of Labour, Equality Illinois, Personal PAC and several building trades unions, according to BallotReady and Windy City Times.
Candidate responses were collected through BallotReady questionnaires and the candidate's campaign website. The Park Ridge Wire presents this profile as part of its 2026 election coverage to help voters understand the candidates on their ballot.
